shovel: Browse The Strips

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Lynn's Comments: For three months one year, Rod and I worked on his sister and brother in-law's farm. They grew grain and raised pigs and I quickly went from being a city girl to driving the combine, chasing piglets, and building bins. It was an extraordinary experience, and the farm became one of my favourite places to take the Pattersons!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Lynn's Comments: Strips about littering were always well received. This one was made into a poster and was put up at a lake in Saskatchewan. It was also a limited edition print, which was given to volunteers who helped to clean up local beaches.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Lynn's Comments: The path from our front door to the driveway on Tally-Ho Road was perhaps 25 feet long, but it seemed much longer when you shovelled it. When I did this strip, we were all living in Northern Ontario, but shovelling snow is the same wherever you are. No matter how often you create a clean space, within minutes something always manages to fill it in.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Lynn's Comments: I remember thinking I could dig down to China. I really believed I would come out the other side of the earth to find a completely new civilization. I also believed our beach blanket could fly--as long as I was wrapped up in it and couldn't see. My imagination was so strong, I could feel the wind come under the blanket and lift it up. Because of these memories, I can appreciate the daydreams my granddaughter has. I watch with fascination, hoping she doesn't lose this wonderful gift too fast.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Lynn's Comments: For years, the lot next door to our house on Fifth Street was empty. Then it was sold and the new house seemed to take forever to be built. During the time of construction, my mom railed at the dirt, the plaster, and all the dangerous materials that were left lying about on the property. We kids had a wonderful time playing in the sand, jumping on the plywood and piling up the bricks. I clearly remember sitting on my knees shaping plaster and dirt into patties, and then tasting them to see if they had turned into cookies. I was convinced they were the real thing!

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Lynn's Comments: Another true story--At about the age of 16, I went to Montreal to visit my mom's sister and her family. I was there for the summer to act as a "nanny" for my four younger cousins and to improve my French, if possible! I was happy to be going, but the crush I had on a boy in my class was pretty powerful, and although he said he'd miss me, I had my doubts.

Friday February 10, 2017

Lynn's Comments: Moving to North Vancouver has given us a break from shoveling snow. Wet snow falls here, but few people shovel it because the rain will come and wash it away. The rain does come, but frost might come first. Dangerous and slippery sidewalks make going anywhere treacherous. Seaside living means bone-chilling cold. Long underwear (for me), is a necessity. You can't win in Canada!

Sunday September 4, 2022

Lynn's Comments: I remember being about three years old and riding my tricycle down 5th Street in North Vancouver. The wheels squeaked so loudly that one of our neighbours came out and oiled them for me. Funny the things you remember!